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Fanfic
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Alanna's Dominion
Lady Alanna
Chapter Five: Setting Off and Maggur's Thoughts
Alanna rose with the sun the next morning, rubbing her eyes and cursing Jon's determination. Why ME? she thought as she tossed clothes-more clothes-into a leather bag. Then, after finishing her put off packing, she dressed, shivering in the morning chill. First came a breastband, and then breeches, which she pulled up under her dressing gown. Shedding the sleeping apperel quickly and quietly, she slid her arms into a long, loose-sleeved cotten blouse. Tying hoes at the thigh, she donned thick, sturdy boots and a red tunic. Full armor seemed a bit much, so the lady knight settled with a chain mail shirt and leather riding gloves. As she slid her sword belt around her waist, she yawned, trying to remember why she was doing this. Ah yes, that blasted Jewel. Now I know there's insanity in my family, she complained to herself as she double checked all that she was taking. It seemed about right, but she was too tired to tell.
When Alanna reached the stables, Darkmoon was already saddled and ready to go. The woman grinned, for it was most certainly the chief holster, Stephen's, doing. Darkmoon was getting old and a bit testy for a stallion, but Alanna loved him all the same.
"Insane," the woman heard Neal mutter to his closest friend, Lady Keledry of Mindelan.
"Don't complain," the other woman told him, straight-faced. "It'll be good for you." Alanna had to try not to laugh at this. She knew Kel was right.
"Lady Alanna! Hello!" Kel exclaimed, altogether to chipper to be completely sane. "Hello, Master Numair," she said as the tall mage approached. The man managed a feeble wave. Daine was behind him, her brown curls tossing in the breeze.
"I'll saddle your gelding, love," she said, stifling a yawn. Numair nodded, still half asleep. George stood at Alanna's side, wide awake.
"Let us proceed to the main gates," the baron suggested, throwing an arm around Alanna's shoulder's. "Gary and Raoul will meet us there."
"Daine, are you coming?" she asked, puzzled. "Or are you just seeing Numiar off?"
"I don't know." The girl blushed. "I kinda hoped maybe I could come along for a bit. Jon doesn't need me now, and he'll send for me if he does." Alanna nodded.
"You may, if that's what you want," the woman replied. She wanted Daine along. If they ran into any animal problems, she would be a blessing. The girl smiled.
"Come on, Lady Knight!" Raoul teased as they neared the gate. "Are you getting old and sore?" Alanna growled at him, and then laughed. Gary stood at the large man's side, yawning.
"Well, here we are," she said, looking around at her sleepy companions. "This won't be easy, but we should handle. Gary, Raoul, Neal, Kel, and myself are knights, Neal and I also can heal, Numair is the most powerful mage there is, George is the best spy, and Daine, who has agreed to join us for a while, is a wildmage. We'll most likely be home by supper time." This brought a chuckle from all of her friends. Letting out a whoop of encouragement, she led her squad to victory.
* * * * * Maggur Rathhausak, the elite ruler of Scanra, sat in his throne looking thoughtful. In his fingers he held a fist-sized gem. It glinted as he turned it over in his hands. The Dominion Jewel. His at last.
Maggur looked at the empty throne room. It seemed so bare, even in all it's splendor. It was made from gray marble with black flecks, and crystal chandeliers hung over the whole room. The absence of light made the empty room look barren and dismal. The man himself was dressed in a white silk shirt with a long, gray over-robe. Black boots poked out from the bottom of his robe, giving his whole outfit a grim appearance. A good outfit for mourning, he thought to himself. He, along with the rest of the country was mourning Scanra's losses.
"Keladry of Mindelan, Protector of the Small," he said. It echoed in the empty chamber. Keladry was responsible. She had killed Blayce. Without him, the killing devices broke, leading to Scanra's loss. The king stroked a braid in his long blonde hair. His hair was all that set him apart from the rest of the room. It hung in braids that framed his face, and it hung long and tangled down his broad back. A wrought iron crown in a floral design harnessed his mass of hair to his head. He didn't care mush for the crown, but he adored the position that came with it.
"It's Keladry's fault," he told the room. "Now, with my all-powerful Jewel, Keladry will pay." Maggur smiled to himself.
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